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Northern California Lake Fishing Report

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Sunday, February 4th, 2018

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 57

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: FISH REPORT January 31, 2018
      By: Gene Hildebrand
      New Melones Lake level is currently at 1050.75 and 37.25 ft. from full. Water level had dropped to the year low of 1050.00 before rising to current level. Water temperature is 56 d. clarity is good. We like to promote catch and release on New Melones. If you do so, provide us a picture and bring it in for a copy or email it to us at gloryholesports@yahoo.com so we can put it on the board or in the newsletter.
      Trout
      (January 2018 has showed that if 2017 was a great year for trout, then it should carry well on into this new year.) Posted that two weeks ago! Here we are at the end of January with a record Rainbow trout that has blasted the Melones Lake record by 4 lbs 6 oz. I've heard many a angler commenting that Melones holds some huge bows and this one proves all that chatter. Chris Peterson of Folsom was on the main lake Jan. 25th at 9:00 am bass fishing with one of our veterans, which had just brought in a 4+ lb bass. Chris saw some shad on the surface of the cove that they were in so motored over and came up with a plan to bring his presentation from the shore in towards the shad. Dragging the bladed chartreuse voo doo into the water and 3 ft. in line began peeling off his reel. After setting his hook Chris was thinking I've got a really nice bass on the end of my line, turning his pole into a circle hook. As he brought her in closer and seeing color he realized a nice size trout was on his line. After landing her, Chris thought he may have a record but wasn't sure so had his partner look up the records for the lake and told him 9 lb. 10oz. is the current record. So he says hey Chris, you just landed a New lake record!
      14lbs. 04oz, 27" length, with a 21" girth.
      Power bait is working excellent for shore fishermen, speedy shiners for trolling anglers, Tazmanian Devil can be cast/trolled.
      Bass
      Anglers report bass fishing has been doing good with the finesse setup, Texas rig and dropshot using senkos cinnamon blk flake, pumpkin, robo worms in oxblood/red flake.
      The bass on New Melones are being caught in both deep and shallow water. It can take a little time to locate actively feeding fish. Once you do find a productive depth, catching fish has not been a problem. On an average day we will put 20 to 30-quality spotted bass and largemouth in the boat. On good days we are landing over 50-fish. Many techniques have been working and some better than others. Mostly using finesse tactics to get plenty of bites and tossing large baits in search of a big bite. The dropshot rig continues to work. Small shad or crawdad patterned soft plastics are a good choice. Also, bottom bouncing baits have been a key player. The flooded grass from last year's downpour has almost completely deteriorated and grinding baits on the rocks will trigger fish. Jigs, shakeyheads, dartheads and a good ol' Texas rig will do the trick.
      Stick with natural colors when fishing in clear water and you find success. www.xperiencefishing.net
      Catfish
      No reports of Catfish caught
      Crappie
      Officially or not officially GHS has no recorded lake record for Crappie so to bring in the new year, we are hereby crediting Roger Stewart with owning the newly classified Crappie record for New Melones Lake. Roger of River Pines caught a 2 lb.6 oz. Crappie on January 1, 2018. Roger reported catching the sunfish on a Rapala in a Rainbow Trout pattern. Thanks for bring this nice Crappie in and sharing it with us Roger!
      Anglers FYI; for anyone with a potential lake record please call us at the store and hopefully we can send someone to weigh, photograph and measure the catch at the lake. GHS is the unofficial recorder of lake records for New Melones, and we understand there is sometimes conflicting interest in the welfare of the catch, whether or not to release the potential record, sacrificing your place as a record holder for the lake.

Friday, February 2nd, 2018

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Water Temp: 50-53.8

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I have fished and guided on Bullards Bar for many, many years. Yesterday (Thurs) was a first! When I launched at the dam about 1 pm, there were 3 or 4 truck/trailers parked and there was barely room for me. I found enough room and was off to fish. As I was approaching the main body. 3 boats were coming back to the dock. I think only one might have been a bass boat as there was only one bass trailer. The others were small boats. I wound up fishing my private lake (Bullards) until near dark. There might have been a boat out of Dark Day ramp. but I never heard or saw another boat the whole afternoon. it was my private lake for the afternoon - me and the floating spider webs. They were everywhere! Thank goodness this wasn't really a fishing trip for me since what fishing I did was not very productive. I caught one 14-15 in spot and missed 3 more bites. I went up the river arm for the first time all the way to the 5 mph sign. I always fish the main body, but it was fun to explore on a beautiful day! All my bites came on 6" Robo worms which I bit down to 5" worms.

      Tips: As for the lake, the water temp was roughly 50 to 53 1/2 degree. The lake level is steady, rising just slightly. Lake water is clear everywhere with very little debris. More up the river arm, but not bad. Lake level is 79% capacity

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Super Weekend for Diamondback Anglers. West Delta anglers will line up throughout the area for this year’s huge Super Bowl Sturgeon Derby. This target length event draws anglers from All Over the West. The action Starts at 7am Saturday AM the announcement of the Target length.

      Next Week the “O” series goes outta Sugar Barge!

      Isleton

      Water temps continued to raise a bit this week and a few stripers in the Liberty/ Cache Slough area started responding. Swim baits, Angry Eyes and hair Jigs have been mentioned Still very sporadic at best. Sturgeon remains the focus here. Diamondback anglers are heading to 41, Liberty and Cache Slough areas with roe and eel reporting success.

      Rio Vista- Solid

      The best place to score a striped bass or sturgeon remains below Decker Island in the area of the Power Lines at Light 14 and the Red Barn, where boaters anchor and use threadfin shad or Red’s Bloody Eel. Small stripes and occasionally, a 10-pounder is caught. Eel continues to lead the way for sturgeon anglers in front of Collinsville. Rio Vista Pier also is scoring both species.

      Walnut Grove

      Tough yet, Most are sturgeon fishing now with eel and cured ghost shrimp. Slow for the minnow drifting anglers, but striper gurus reminded me this week how many fish will used the bypasses and high water to move quickly to the upper reaches of the system. Bank anglers tossing shad and eel prevail for an occasional sturgeon or Striper those looking for bigger bites.

      Discovery Bay

      As water temps warm into the fifties the black bass bite is getting started! Most Blackie anglers are sticking with jigs and slow rolling blades searching ledges near flats. Others looking to beat the clear conditions are rippin’ Strike King KVD300’s and A-rigs. Keeper sized stripes are grabbing A-rigs and Rip Baits bit more this week ..

      Frank’s Tract

      The Dirty D is living up to it’s lovely nick as the dirty water dominates the scene. Storms are few and far between the solid sunny pattern ahead will have the bite turning on rapidly Very Soon, It’s no secret what a little warmer water can do. DDO Custom Cranks are great options while Fatsack Jigs and swim jigs get the mention as well.

      West Delta

      Solid Sturgeon fishing leads the way.as showery weather will greet Super Bowl Derby Anglers. Eel is the best bait over all, but roe and shad also scoring diamondbacks Broad slough and surrounding cuts. There were many shaker sturgeon reports and double hook ups. Montezuma Slough at Collinsville West to Honker Bay has been best. There were few Nice sturgeon and keepers in the Antioch area around Sherman Island, Broad Slough and New York Slough. A few more nice stripers coming soaking Shad, anchovies and sardines in many areas, bank anglers, Antioch Pier and along Sherman Island rd.

      Contra Loma

      Black bass have been biting on artificial baits and A-rigs around the lake.

      Trout fishing is still good at the east side, north side of lake or from a boat with nightcrawlers, Power Eggs, or mice tails. Catfish biting is slow. Try fishing at Channel Point, Loma Island or from a boat with nightcrawlers or chicken liver

      Provided by Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St Oakley CA 925/234-4694 Follow us on Facebook

Tuesday, January 30th, 2018

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Report: Guide Reports from Glory Hole Sports
      2892 Hwy 49
      Angels Camp, California 95222

      Take it to the Limits Guide Service:

      Xperience Fishing Guide Service Fishing Report:
      It has been a very odd winter with unusually warm and dry weather. The lake level remains stable and has not fluctuated much in months. The water temperature is averaging 54 to 56-degrees and is gin clear in most areas of the lake.


      The bass on New Melones are being caught in both deep and shallow water. It can take a little time to locate actively feeding fish. Once you do find a productive depth, catching fish has not been a problem. On an average day we will put 20 to 30-quality spotted bass and largemouth in the boat. On good days we are landing over 50-fish.


      *Photo of Steve Cooper with a super healthy largemouth bass.

      Many techniques have been working and some better than others. Mostly using finesse tactics to get plenty of bites and tossing large baits in search of a big bite. The dropshot rig continues to work. Small shad or crawdad patterned soft plastics are a good choice. Also, bottom bouncing baits have been a key player. The flooded grass from last year's downpour has almost completely deteriorated and grinding baits on the rocks will trigger fish. Jigs, shakeyheads, dartheads and a good ol' Texas rig will do the trick.
      Stick with natural colors when fishing in clear water and you find success.


      Xperience Fishing Guide Service
      www.xperiencefishing.net
      xperiencefishing@yahoo.com
      John Liechty (209)743-9932

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 49 degrees, elevation 718.52

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Finally, enough water in the lake for me to launch at Lime Saddle at 6:50 am, long 22 minute drive, Vrs. 1 hours to Bidwell. Nice morning, slightly cool, and the fish seemed to be willing to bite. Fished just the Lime Saddle marina area and picked up 11 fish, most basic 13" variety, but one was 14". Fish were deep mostly. About half 25-35 foot range, the other half 40-50 foot range. Interesting, deeper fish were on the pale side for color, not all, but most. Slow bait movement, soft bites. I would have fished longer,. but forgot the the boat clock is an hour fast, set for summertime fishing!!!Pulled the boat out at 10 am! Would have fished another hour had I remembered. First picture is the best fish, right at 14", second picture my first fish for the year. Water cool, 49 degree range, so makes for slow fishing. Spent a lot of time with my new hook 12 fish finder, what a change compared to the old one. Love the big screen and auto features. Should be fishing every week now that Lime Saddle is open!! Picture in fishing forum.

      Tips: Fish deeper, fish slow

Thursday, January 25th, 2018

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52 to 53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: On the water at 5am stayed till 4pm. Fished by Capel cove and Spanish flats area. First thing in the morning a lot of fish activity on the surface. Found out soon that they where trout. Second cast of a stacyee caught a 2.5lber. Had a couple of hits until the sun came up and every thing went dead. Moved around from point to point for no bites. Then sat in 20 feet of water casting out to beeper water. After a few minutes caught one lost on. This worked up till 2pm. Went to the stacyee again and caught two out in 40 feet. Ended the day with 5 bass in the net and 1 trout.

      Tips: The only points that produced where on the west side of the lake. With the stacyee. Slow and soft. I lost to many fish to count on the jig I was using an ounce jig because of the depth. 40 plus feet. Maybe Carolina rig would work better so they don't feel the weight. Tight lines

Thursday, January 11th, 2018

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Started day at 7am to 5pm. At the bridge in Putta creek. Found some small fish at the entrance and moved in and the action slow down for us. So we moved out to points. There as well we found some more small fish. It was a small fish day. 17 fish for me and my budy. Just no size.

      Tips: Every bite came on Bottom. Underpin, jig or worm all on bottom. We caught most of our fish on points or rock faces with wind on them. But the big fish of the day came on a main lake flat in 12 feet off a jig at 5pm.

Sunday, January 7th, 2018

  • Napa County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Slowed way down and caught 2 bass in 4 hours dropshotting in 40 feet on Jan 2nd.
      i found some Crappie on the bottom in 50 feet. Fun to feel a tug after the hectic Christmas Season!

  • Tuolumne County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Fishing is very good right now. The spotted bass are anywhere from 1-20 feet deep and they're FAT. They're biting jigs and shad pattern baits. Trout fishing is good as well. I have caught two big rainbows (6-7 lbs each) the last two trips out while bass fishing. The fish generally move shallower as the day gets later. The fish are scattered so when you find em slow down.

Saturday, December 30th, 2017

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Bait fishing Stripers Sturgeon Solid
      Happy New Year is just ahead! Still very little pressure from anglers on the river this week,. Great tides combined sunny days ahead to be setting as the winter bite we’ve had This Season.. Still there is some really cool water and tough bites.
      Isleton The few Sturgeon anglers in area are heading to 41, Cache Slough areas with roe and eel reporting success. Cooling water have slowed the stripers in the Cache Slough area. Spoons and hair Jigs have become favorite tools of lure tossers in the area. Many guides are drifting minnows in the area.

      Rio Vista-The best place to score a striped bass or sturgeon seems to be below Decker Island in the area of the Power Lines at Light 14 and the Red Barn, where boaters anchor and use threadfin shad or sardine filets. Small stripes and occasionally, a 10-pounder is caught. Eel continues to lead the way for sturgeon anglers in front of Collinsville

      Walnut Grove . Slow for the trolling anglers, but stripers cracking the 10 pound plus keeps anglers hopes up. Savage Prey series and Angry Eyes are the top choices here as well, there seems to bit more call for chartreuse patterns here. Bank anglers tossing shad and eel prevail for an occasional Sturgeon or Striper those looking for Cold night fun.

      Discovery Bay Black bass bite is hopeful as water temps stabilize in the upper 40’s. Most Blackie anglers are sticking with rip baits and a-rigs searching ledges near flats. Others looking to beat the clear conditions are drop shotting Strike King Half Shells and Strike King Finesse worms. Keeper sized stripes are grabbing slower rolling Diamond Shad . There seems to be a run on Crappie Jigs. This would indicate a crappie bite but no ones talking.

      Frank’s Tract Black bass bite both OK but ya gotta Slow down with the weather rolling through more consistently. It’s no secret what a little fall weather can do. Ripbaits are great options while Bobby D’s spinnerbaits and swim jigs get the mention as well. We found plenty of Stripers and Black Bass with Hair Jigs, Swim Baits, like the BIG 6thSense Hollow Bodies getting grabbed. Lot of Stripers in main River and Mildred areas.
      West Delta Sturgeon leads the way. Eel is the best bait over all, but roe and shad also scoring diamondbacks Broad slough and surrounding cuts. There were many shaker sturgeon reports in double power lines in Decker Island and Sherman Island. There were few shaker sturgeons also reports from Light 42 to Light 49 in the deep channel Most of the nice stripers coming soaking Shad, anchovies and sardines allow Sherman Island rd.

      Contra Loma -Trout fishing has been good. They have been biting at the East Side, North side of lake or from a boat with nightcrawlers, power eggs, or mice tails Best catches Reported Mike Erickson caught a 5.3 lb. trout on Power Bait from a boat near the dam. . Mark Davis caught a 6 lb. trout each on Zekes Bait at the East Side of Lake.
      Provided by Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St Oakley CA 925/234-4694 Follow us on Facebook

Friday, December 29th, 2017

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 40s

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Winter fishing is here. Slow down and scale back your presentation around weed lines and docks and target water 8+ feet deep and you'll find them. I fished from the 27th through the 29th of December and pulled a few consistent fish with a small Ned rig and TRD setup on tight line. The drop shot was working too around cover with a 6 inch or less leader. The slower the presentation the better. Kind of a numbers game right now rather than a size game.

      Tips: Slow down, target structure, use natural colors.

Monday, December 25th, 2017

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: Cold

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: All I want for Christmas is a killer big fish springtime bite!

      Tips: Wishin’ & a hopin’ for the best!

Saturday, December 23rd, 2017

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Bait fishing Stripers Sturgeon continues to be Solid
      First Of All, Merry Christmas! Once again, Very little pressure from anglers on the river this week,. Great tides combined with Sunny days ahead to be setting as the Best winter bite we’ve had in years.. Still there is some cool water and tough bites.
      Isleton Sturgeon anglers are heading to 41, Cache Slough areas with roe and eel reporting success. Cooling water have slowed the stripers in the Cache Slough area. Spoons and hair Jigs have become favorite tools of lure tossers in the area. Many guides are drifting minnows in the area.
      Rio Vista-The best place to score a striped bass or sturgeon seems to be below Decker Island in the area of the Power Lines at Light 14 and the Red Barn, where boaters anchor and use threadfin shad or sardine filets. Small stripes and occasionally, a 10-pounder is caught. Eel/crawler combos continues to lead the way for sturgeon anglers in front of Collinsville

      Walnut Grove . Slow for the trolling anglers, but stripers cracking the 15 pound plus keeps anglers hopes up. Drifting live baits are the top choices here as well, there seems to bit more call for chartreuse patterns here. Bank anglers tossing shad and eel prevail for an occasional Sturgeon or Striper those looking for fun.

      Discovery Bay Black bass bite improved a bit as water temps stabilize in the fifties. Most Blackie anglers are sticking with rip baits and a-rigs searching ledges near flats om he Indian creek Side Others looking to beat the cool conditions are drop shotting 6 and 7 inch worms. Nice sized stripes are grabbing Bad Bubba Shad . There seems to be a run on Crappie Jigs. This would indicate a crappie bite but no ones talking.

      Frank’s Tract Black bass bite both OK but ya gotta Slow down with the weather rolling through more consistently. It’s no secret what staying in the 12-15 foot depth can produce. Kriet Kreratures are great options while FatSack Jigs and swim jigs get the mention as well. We found a few of Stripers and Black Bass with Hair Jigs, Swim Baits, like the Optimum Diamond Shad getting grabbed. Lot of Stripers in main River and Mildred areas.
      West Delta Sturgeon leads the way. Eel is the best bait over all, but roe and shad also scoring diamondbacks Broad slough and surrounding cuts. There were many shaker sturgeon reports in double power lines in Decker Island and Sherman Island. There were few shaker sturgeons also reports from Light 42 to Light 49 in the deep channel Most of the nice stripers coming soaking Shad, anchovies and sardines allow Sherman Island rd.
      Contra Loma -Trout fishing has been good. They have been biting at the East Side, North side of lake or from a boat with nightcrawlers, Zekes, or Marshallows Another 1000 pounds of plants helps spur the bite along.
      Provided by Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St Oakley CA 925/234-4694 Follow us on Facebook

Wednesday, December 20th, 2017

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 49-50

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Well, I will echo Larry's words with respect to Clearlake. Three days on the water Sun-Tues. Fished both Upper and Lower lake. We did not have the wind Sun-Tues that was blowing today on our departure and had clear skies... AND...wait for it...we got A bite. One bass. We fished shallow and we fished deep. We fished docks, ledges and drop offs, and deep rock piles. We made ourselves slow down to almost dead sticking the baits, crawling under-spins, crawling LV500(Yes Tim Little we tried) rip baits, big jigs, 2.8 to 4" Keitechs both on drop shot and swim rig, spoons, and A-rigs. just couldn't get a bas to bite.
      The water color was a first for me in the there years since we got our home there...Rusty Brown with less than 1ft visibility. We did find areas that the water was not this color and tried fishing those to no avail. We found bait balls that filled the hummingbirds entire screen. Massive.
      Although no fish, it was beautiful out on the water and we enjoyed the company and the hunt.

      Tips: Would love to hear tips and guidance from those guiding on the lake!!

Tuesday, December 19th, 2017

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52-53

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Someone I met at the ramp today challenged me to make a report after our short trip to Clear Lake. Well, here it is in all its glory!! The wind killed us today - how's that for a report?? Actually, it was brutal in the late afternoon as the front moved in. Very difficult to fish. The wind did something again today that you will only see at Clear Lake. We were on a point with the wind hitting us in one direction at 20-25 mph. Within seconds, it hit us in the total opposite direction - at the same speed!! Only at Clear Lake!!! We fished what we could on the west side of the lake and buddy Mike was the hero - he got a bite!! That is a big deal at Clear Lake now - a bite! Seriously, this afternoons 3 hr trip for us was not a good time to judge anything. We might have had subtle bites we just couldn't feel. No fun today!

      Tips: Sorry - I can't offer anything of value. I think Mike got his shallow bite on a jig - not sure. We did a lot of metering and really saw nothing in the way of bait or fish. I hear that if there is a bite, it is up north. That would not surprise me since most of the bass live up north now. I believe it is called "tournament migration!"

Saturday, December 16th, 2017

  • Solano County
    • By

      Report: Delta Report…. Bait fishing Stripers Sturgeon Solid

      Very little pressure from anglers on the river this week, most are gearing up to Celebrate Christmas. Great tides combined sunny days ahead to be setting as the Best winter bite we’ve had in years. Still there is some really clear water and tough bites.

      Don’t forget the Hook Line and Sinker series goes out of Russo’s Sunday! Slow down and hang on there are solid bites out there. Strike King Red Eye Shad and Zoom Big Dead Ringers should do the trick! Wind will blow White on White Blades will play a factor!

      Isleton Fishing Report
      Cooling water have slowed the stripers in the Cache Slough area. Spoons and hair Jigs have become favorite tools of lure tossers in the area. Many guides are drifting minnows in the area. Sturgeon anglers are heading to 41, Cache Slough areas with roe and eel reporting success.

      Rio Vista Fishing Report
      The best place to score a striped bass or sturgeon seems to be below Decker Island in the area of the Power Lines at Light 14 and the Red Barn, where boaters anchor and use threadfin shad or sardine filets. Small stripes and occasionally, a 10-pounder is caught.

      Walnut Grove Fishing Report
      Slow for the trolling anglers, but stripers cracking the 15 pound plus keeps anglers hopes up. Savage Prey series and Angry Eyes are the top choices here as well, there seems to bit more call for chartreuse patterns here. Bank anglers tossing shad and eel prevail for an occasional Sturgeon or Striper those looking for Cold night fun.

      Discovery Bay Fishing Report
      Black bass bite is hopeful as water temps stabilize in the fifties. Most Blackie anglers are sticking with rip baits and a-rigs searching ledges near flats. Others looking to beat the clear conditions are drop shotting 6 and 7 inch worms. Nice sized stripes are grabbing Bad Bubba Shad. There seems to be a run on Crappie Jigs. This would indicate a crappie bite but no ones talking

      Frank’s Tract Fishing Report
      Stripers and bass bite both OK but ya gotta Slow down with the cooler foggy weather. It’s no secret what a little fall weather can do. Ripbaits are great options while Bobby D’s spinnetbaits and swim jigs get the mention as well. We found plenty of Stripers and with Hair Jigs, Swim Baits, like this shops Number 1 Bad Bubba shad and 6thSense Hollow Bodies getting grabbed. Lot of Stripers in main River and Mildred areas. Sandra went ten cast in a row for 4 to 8 pounders.

      West Delta Fishing Report
      Sturgeon quietly is slipping into the spotlight. Eel is the best bait over all, but roe and shad also scoring diamondbacks Broad slough and surrounding cuts. There were many shaker sturgeon reports in double power lines in Decker Island and Sherman Island. There were few shaker sturgeons also reports from Light 42 to Light 49 in the deep channel Most of the nice stripers coming soaking Shad, anchovies and sardines allow Sherman Island rd.

      Provided by Dan’s Delta Outdoors, 1625 Main St Oakley CA 925/234-4694 Follow us on Facebook

Thursday, December 14th, 2017

  • Lake County
    • By

      Water Temp: 49 to 53

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Great winter day! Was on the water at 8am to 4pm and caught 30 + fish. Most of the fish where of quality size over 2lb. Top 5 fish went for 19lbs. We where fishing in the Nice area on the lake. Fishing flats in 3 to 6 feet of water. The better fish where in 6 feet of water out in front of the docks. The best fish came off Rocky areas with deep water around them.

      Tips: Best bait was the underpin in the small size. 1/4 oz size with a 4in keithech impact. The underspin need to be on the bottom. Small jigs as well in dark colors was working.

Wednesday, December 13th, 2017

  • Yuba County
    • By

      Water Temp: 54?

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: I visited Bullards twice in the past few days - once for a short 3 hr trip by myself and a guide trip yesterday. There were several rigs in the parking lot at Dark Day on my first trip and many bass boats on the water. I had a few bites and landed a smaller bass. Yesterday (Tues) my client and I arrived at the ramp at 9:30 am and, behold!, not a single bass rig there. We only saw 4 or 5 bass boats all day which had launched at the dam. It was a "teach the lake" trip and we drop-shotted several good areas. We did find two good schools of bass from 50 to 75 feet, but they really wouldn't eat. He is a good stik and had lots of subtle bites, but the bass wouldn't inhale. He did catch a small spot and shortly before we quit, he landed a nice 2+ pounder. I think he was using the MM111 Robo worm - not sure about the color. That seemed to get the most bites yesterday.

      Tips: The lake is at a pretty steady level with not much incoming water. The current weather pattern is bringing drop-dead gorgeous afternoons, but remember, the sun doesn't warm the water in late December! You may be warm in the December afternoon, but the bass aren't!! It seems to me that the fishing is better as one goes further up the river.

  • Butte County
    • By

      Water Temp: 52, elevation 701.80

      Water Clarity: Clear (4+ foot visibility)

      Report: Burr, winter weather has arrived after a couple week of winds, back to fishing. Got launched about 6:45 am, stopped fishing right at 10:30 am. Dang, the first hour or two were brutal cold today, fingers feeling the cold bite, but once the sun got going, awesome day on the water. Winter bite has arrived, got to work much harder to find fish these days. After trying some locations I thought would hold fish, didn't, began working points and managed a few fish. Hop skip around from point to point seemed to work today. Picked up 8 spots, but nothing of any size, best just shy of 14" Fish were deeper, as winter seems to require, most taken in 30-40 foot mark, with slow bait movement, like lazy day fishing. Just as the sun came up, ran across a location in deep water that showed what looked like a 100 fish suspended gathering of large fish in the 40-65 foot range, like they were sleeping together for the night. the size made me thing they were salmon, never have seen this before on the graph. Tried for a bite or two, but nothing. Anyone seen this before? and what might be the trick for getting a bite? Pictures in fishing forum.

  • Jackson County
    • By

      Water Temp: 50

      Water Clarity: Stained (2-4 foot visibility)

      Report: Lack of rain for the past several days has cleared the lake quite a bit. But it has not improved the fishing. I was able to get a fish here and there with a brown spider jig but I did not get a limit. Nothing else worked. ON a side note, I was the only boat on the entire lake. That was a new feeling. Fished from about 9 AM to 2 PM. Lake is high into the trees. Going to try again on XMAS Eve.

      Tips: This is an amazing spring/summer time fishery but I rarely do well in winter. So nothing to offer in the way of tips. Sorry.